"LeBron wins the MVP, Wade has the best season he's ever had, Carmelo almost makes the finals" - Bill Simmons on how teaming up with Kobe Bryant in 2008 helped LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony

Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony were teammates in the 2008 Redeem Team that helped the United States capture Olympic gold. The Ringer's Bill Simmons explained how teaming with Bryant helped James, Wade and Anthony become better players.

On the latest episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Simmons and Charles Barkley were discussing LeBron James' work ethic. Simmons noted that James, along with Wade and Anthony, learned a lot from Bryant as part of Team USA. He pointed to the success the three superstars had in the 2008-09 NBA season:

"The Redeem Team doc had that part about when Kobe shows up and the young guys like Carmelo, LeBron and Wade were coming back from the club. Kobe was going to work out at 5:30 in the morning. They were like, 'Wait, what's going on?'

By Friday, they were working out with him and they go through that experience. They go to the next season. LeBron wins the MVP, Wade has the best season he's ever had, Carmelo almost makes the finals. It was all caused by osmosis around that."

After teaming up and winning the Olympic gold medal, members of the Redeem Team parted ways and prepared for the 2008-09 season. LeBron James won his first MVP award as he averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

Dwyane Wade had the best season of his career and came in third in MVP voting. Wade averaged 30.2 points, 5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.2 steals. Carmelo Anthony was plagued by injuries, but led the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference finals against Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers.

Anthony averaged 27.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in the Nuggets' 2009 postseason run. Meanwhile, Bryant was second in MVP voting, but helped the Lakers win the championship. He was named NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade helped bring 'Redeem Team' documentary to life

2008 Team USA led by Kobe Byrant and LeBron James.

Team USA were humiliated at the 2004 Athens Olympics when they failed to win the gold medal. For the first time since 1988, the Americans won the bronze medal after losing 89-81 to Argentina in the semifinals. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony were all part of that 2004 team.

After four years, all three superstars were among those selected to help bring back the gold medal. However, they needed someone who could inspire and lead the team. Team USA convinced Kobe Bryant to join them and helped them get redemption.

Fast forward to 2022, James and Wade helped bring the "Redeem Team" documentary to life. The film premiered on Netflix earlier this month, with interviews from members of the 2008 team. The documentary mainly focused on Bryant's influence on the team.

"Kobe wasn't a guy who anybody thought would play on the Olympic team," Wade said. "Everyone thought Kobe was about Kobe. And he showed up and said, 'I'm tired of watching y'all lose, let's get it.' And he became a different version of the Kobe that we knew."